According to our current understanding of physics, travel at the speed of light is not possible for objects with mass. This is a fundamental principle of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, which has been extensively tested and supported by numerous experiments and observations. As an object with mass accelerates, its energy and momentum increase, and according to relativity, the energy required to accelerate an object with mass to the speed of light becomes infinite. Therefore, it is considered impossible to reach or exceed the speed of light for objects with mass.
However, it is worth noting that light itself, which consists of massless particles called photons, does travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. Light speed represents an ultimate speed limit in the universe, and anything with mass would require an infinite amount of energy to reach or exceed that speed.
In science, a well-established theory is not considered a "universal truth" simply because many people believe it to be so. Scientific theories are established through rigorous testing, observation, experimentation, and validation by the scientific community. They are models that explain and predict natural phenomena based on the available evidence and have withstood extensive scrutiny and testing. However, scientific theories are subject to revision or even replacement if new evidence or discoveries emerge that contradict or expand our current understanding.
Electromagnetic propulsion refers to the concept of using electromagnetic forces to propel objects. It encompasses various propulsion technologies, including ion propulsion, which I mentioned earlier. Ion propulsion systems use electromagnetic fields to accelerate and expel ions, generating thrust and propelling a spacecraft. These systems are currently used in certain space missions, offering fuel efficiency and long-duration propulsion capabilities.
Regarding the notion of our physics being flawed, it's important to understand that scientific theories are our best explanations for the natural world based on the available evidence and observations. However, our understanding of physics is not complete, and there are still many unanswered questions and unresolved mysteries. Scientists continuously strive to refine and expand our knowledge by conducting experiments, making new observations, and developing new theoretical frameworks.
While our current theories, such as the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, are incredibly successful in describing and predicting a wide range of phenomena, there are areas where they do not align, such as in the context of a unified theory of quantum gravity. It is within these gaps and inconsistencies that physicists seek to refine and deepen our understanding of the universe.
Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that our current understanding of physics is incomplete rather than fundamentally flawed. As scientific research progresses, new discoveries may lead to revisions or advancements in our understanding, potentially uncovering new possibilities or revealing limitations in our existing theories.